Jeff Bridges

DVD Round Up, Nov. 19, 2009: ‘Spread,’ ‘Open Road,’ ‘Train’

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:17:10 -0700

CHICAGO – The DVD Round-Up is back! Did you miss us? HollywoodChicago.com’s intermittent column designed to serve as a safety net for releases that may otherwise fall without notice is back with a motley crew of titles that have nearly nothing in common. Classic TV, drama, horror, copious sex, and Justin Timberlake. You make the connections.

“The Fugitive: Season Three, Volume One” was released on October 27th, 2009

“The Dead” was released on November 3rd, 2009.

“Spread” was released on November 10th, 2009.

“The Canyon,” “Open Road” and “Train” were released on November 17th, 2009

“The Fugitive: Season Three, Volume One”

Photo credit: Paramount

Synopsis: “The hit series The Fugitive is back, featuring the first 15 Season Three episodes, on DVD for the first time ever! Golden Globe Award winner David Janssen expertly portrays Dr. Richard Kimble, the pediatrician falsely accused of killing his wife, who needs to prove his innocence by leading the obsessive Lt. Philip Gerard (Barry Morse) to the murderous one-armed man. His life in constant danger, Kimble has by now honed his skills in deception in order to evade capture - a new town, a dead-end job, a different identity. Yet he continues to live in a nightmare world that he can never escape.

Relive all the thrills and chills of The Fugitive in the season that won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Dramatic Series.”

“The Fugitive” stars David Janssen, William Conrad, and Barry Morse. The show is presented in its original 4:3 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Digital mono track. It is not rated and runs 771 minutes on four discs.

The set includes no special features.

“The Dead”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “In his final achievement, legendary director John Huston brings the magic of James Joyce to the screen with this evocative drama starring his daughter, Anjelica Huston. The Dead takes place in early 20th century Dublin at a vibrant holiday feast. Gretta and Gabriel, a young couple, seem to share a comfortable life. But that night, a familiar voice recalls poignant memories and Gabriel learns of his wife’s unforgotten love.”

“The Dead” stars Anjelica Huston, Donal McCann, Helena Carroll, Cathleen Delany, Rachael Dowling, Ingrid Craigie, Dan O’Herlihy, Marie Kean, Donal Donnelly, Sean McClory, and Frank Patterson. It was written by Tony Huston and directed by John Huston. The film is presented in its original 1.78:1 widescreen format and accompanied by a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track. The film runs 73 minutes and is rated PG.

Sadly, the film includes no special features and it’s equally shameful that Huston’s last film is not available on Blu-Ray.

“Spread”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “Spread is a look at the trails and tribulations of sleeping your way to a life of privilege in L.A. Nikki (Ashton Kutcher) is a fun-loving, freeloading hipster who understands his greatest assets are his looks and sexual prowess. His latest conquest, Samantha (Anne Heche), a stunning middle-aged lawyer, gives Nikki more than he’s ever had before. But when Heather (Margarita Levieva), a gorgeous waitress playing the same game, catches his eye their lifestyles force a choice between love and money. Nikki has to decide if he can live on his own once and for all in the hopes of finding something real.”

“Spread” stars Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, Rachel Blanchard, Marie Conchita Alonso, Margarita Levieva, and Sebastian Stan. It was written by Jason Dean Hall and directed by David Mackenzie. The film is presented in its original 2.40:1 widescreen format and accompanied by a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. It runs 97 minutes and is rated R.

Special features include “Living the Dream - The Making of Spread,” “The World According to Nikki,” “Behind-the-Scenes with Ashton Kutcher,” and an audio commentary with actor/producer Ashton Kutcher and actors Anne Heche and Margarita Levieva.

“The Canyon”

Photo credit: Magnolia

Synopsis: “Honeymooners, Nick and Lori head off to the Grand Canyon for adventure and time alone together. Upon arriving, they hire Henry as their guide, who seems to have his own idea about the outdoor excursion. When tragedy strikes, the newlyweds must fend for themselves. Discovering they are prey being hunted by something or someone, they desperately fight for survival to escape the canyon alive.”

“The Canyon” stars Yvonne Strahovski, Will Patton, and Eion Bailey. It was written by Steve Allrich and directed by Richard Harrah. The film is presented in its original widescreen 2.40:1 format and accompanied by a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. It runs 102 minutes and is rated R.

Special features include “Discovering The Canyon,” Behind-the-Scenes Montage, deleted scenes, and Yvonne Strahovski casting session.

“Open Road”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “In this heartwarming comedy, minor leaguer Carlton Garrett (Justin Timberlake) must track down his estranged father, legendary pro-athlete Kyle Garrett (Jeff Bridges), when Carlton’s mother (May Steenburgen) becomes sick. Knowing his father’s likelihood to disappoint, Carlton enlists his ex-girlfriend Lucy (Kate Mara) for emotional support.

Years of miscommunication, frustration and comically awkward attempts at bonding come to a head as the mismatched trio make their way home from Ohio back to Houston to reunite their family.”

“Open Road” stars Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Kate Mara, Harry Dean Stanton, Lyle Lovett, and Mary Steenburgen. It was written and directed by Michael Meredith. It is presented in both 2.35:1 widescreen and 1.33:1 full frame and accompanied by a Dolby Surround 5.1 audio track. The film runs 90 minutes and is rated PG-13.

Special features include “Behind the Scenes of The Open Road” and an audio commentary featuring writer/director Michael Meredith and actor Jeff Bridges.

“Train”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “Touring Eastern Europe with her college wrestling team, Alex (Thora Birch) attends a debauched late-night party that causes Alex and several teammates to miss their train to Odessa. Her coach is furious, but a mysterious woman offers the coach and wrestlers a ride on an alternative train. The coach agrees, and the athletes, exhausted and hung over, gratefully climb aboard. But the train harbors a deadly secret, and for Alex and her fellow passengers, a blood-soaked nightmare is just beginning.”

“Train” stars Thora Birch, Todd Jensen, and Gideon Emery. It was written and directed by Gideon Raff. The film is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and accompanied by a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. The film runs 94 minutes and is rated R.

Special features include a behind-the-scenes featurette.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Sequel to Beloved ‘Tron,’ ‘Tron Legacy’ to Hit Theaters in Dec. 2010

BrianTT — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:33:22 -0600

CHICAGO – The highly anticipated movie “Tron Legacy” will hit theaters on December 17, 2010, according to Dark Horizons.

Tron Legacy.
Photo credit: Dark Horizons

The follow up to the ’80s sci-fi classic “Tron” stars Garrett Hedlund as Sam Flynn, the 27-year-old tech-savvy son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who decides to look into his father’s disappearance. Sam ends up finding himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 2 years.

Kevin’s loyal confidant (Olivia Wilde) joins the father and son on a life-and-death journey that takes them across a visually stunning cyber universe that becomes far more dangerous.

The movie also stars Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett and Michael Sheen also star.

Opening the same day are “The Green Hornet” and “The Smurfs” opening the same date, though according to Dark Horizons, “The Smurfs” is expected to move to a 2011 release date.

By ANGIE RENTMEESTER
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

DVD Review: ‘How to Lose Friends and Alienate People’ Deserves to Lose Viewers Too

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:37:53 -0700

DVD Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Considering the talent on display, “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is jaw-droppingly, shockingly bad. If this was just another straight-to-video National Lampoon comedy, it might be easier to forgive, but how so many funny people got involved in a project so misguided will remain one of the biggest movie mysteries of 2008.

Based on the autobiographical memoir of Toby Young, “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is about the way an egotistical, slobbish writer works his way through the celebrity scene in New York by whatever means possible.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People was released by MGM on February 17th, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox.

Renamed Sidney Young, the great Simon Pegg plays a bumbling hero who was clearly never well-defined by the writer, director, or star. Is Sidney a jerk? If so, casting one of the most likable actors alive was probably not a good idea. Is he an idiot? Pegg doesn’t play that well either. He’s just a black hole in the center of the movie. It’s Pegg’s least memorable performance to date.

Sidney is a celebrity journalist in England who is surprisingly called and hired by one of the most upscale magazines in NYC, headed by Clayton Harding (Jeff Bridges). Sidney becomes enemies, friends, and then love interest in the most predictable way possible with fellow writer Alison Olsen (a miscast Kirsten Dunst) as he deals with a vicious publicist (a miscast Gillian Anderson), a sleazy boss (a miscast Danny Huston), and a rising starlet (okay, this one was well-cast - Megan Fox).

Will the starlet become a celebrity? Will Sidney become a hot new writer on the scene? Will he impress his irascible boss? Will Alison fall in love with him? Did they stop to figure out how to make us care about any of these questions and did anyone do any research into making the world of celebrity journalism in New York feel remotely genuine?

“How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is one of the most inert, lifeless, and dull movies of 2008, a film without one real laugh and a project that is constantly telegraphing its sense of self-importance. You know that guy at the party who tells a stupid joke that he cackles at but no one else laughs? “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is the movie equivalent of that jerk.

The film could have possibly been redeemed at least slightly by a decent home release but MGM chose another plan. Simon Pegg has already made his feelings about the US release clear, urging people not to buy “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” until a better edition comes out. I would suggest not renting it either.

Not released on Blu-Ray, “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” is available on DVD with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and an English 5.1 Dolby Surround sound track. Reportedly, other regions get deleted scenes and multiple commentary tracks, but the US version includes only one commentary with Weide and Pegg and a brief featurette called “Sharp Interviews”. Lucky them.

‘How to Lose Friends and Alienate People’ is released by MGM Home Video and stars Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Danny Huston, Jeff Bridges, Gillian Anderson, and Megan Fox. It was written by Peter Straughan and directed by Robert Weide. It was released on February 17th, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: British Cult Star Simon Pegg is Fish Out of Water in ‘How to Lose Friends & Alienate People’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:14:36 -0600

CHICAGO – Simon Pegg (the British cult hero of “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”) was welcomed to a Chicago hotel where his press event was taking place with personalized water bottles that sported his face.

The star of the new film “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” cradled the customized gift as if it were an Oscar trophy. He delightedly mocked the honor. It is good to be the king.

HollywoodChicago.com interviewed him from there in a free-wheeling forum about his rise to stardom, his coming to America and why everyone wants to join the Simon Pegg cult.

Megan Fox in “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People”.
Photo credit: MGM

“How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” is based on a memoir by British journalist Toby Young. It’s about his experiences coming to New York City to write for Vanity Fair magazine and legendary editor Graydon Carter. Pegg plays a fictionalized version of the author named Sidney Young while Jeff Bridges plays Carter as Clayton Harding.

“Toby Young – unlike the character – is fine. He’s not a complete idiot,” Pegg said.

“He just has a work ethic that doesn’t care what other people think. He employs that and makes a lot of enemies by being tenacious. Toby couldn’t understand Graydon Carter who had started Spy magazine. He was known for working for Vanity Fair, which was a magazine that celebrates what he was satirizing in Spy.”

Sidney is a fish out of water in America. He takes his British tabloid style to the extreme in trying to adapt to the more languid and worshipful American celebrity press scene. He disappoints Clayton, angers his co-worker, Alison (Kirsten Dunst), and slobbers over a starlet (Megan Fox) that the magazine is pursuing.

“How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” star Simon Pegg (left) in Chicago on Aug. 27, 2008 with Patrick McDonald.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

Rating: 3.0/5.0

“Megan is mind-bogglingly beautiful. When she walks into a room, you almost have to look away,” Pegg said with a laugh.

He quickly added: “But she is really capable. The telling night was the pool scene where her character, Sophie, seems more than her two-dimensional character. When [director Robert Weide] called ‘cut’ during that scene, there was a palpable sense among the crew that she really can act.”

Pegg’s fish-out-of-water performance in the film is somewhat similar to his first experiences in America and especially with doing publicity for “Shaun of the Dead”.

When I was doing the extensive publicity tour for ‘Shaun of the Dead,’” Pegg said, “I suddenly realized I am a foreigner. [Because] we speak the same language, I think sometimes we think we’re from the same place. As you go deeper in the heartland, you realize we’re not. It’s fascinating.”

Megan Fox in “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People”.
Photo credit: MGM

Pegg also described the conflict between his goofy Sidney character and the more complex Clayton Harding character as played by Jeff Bridges.

“In the film, Clayton always has a matchbook. That matchbook represents Sidney,” Pegg related. “He expects Sidney to be the fired-up guy he was and still wants to be. But Sidney isn’t that guy. Sidney’s just an idiot.”

Pegg is a well-liked and sought-after actor mostly because of his very popular “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” films. The man himself commented on the cult of Simon Pegg.

“I’m trying to get as many followers as possible,” he said mockingly. “Seriously, what’s great is that you realize the film industry now is populated with film fans and people who appreciate the medium. I didn’t know what to quite make of it. I’m very pleased I’ve done something that has engendered that type of reaction.”

It was this kind of admiration that propelled Pegg into another plum par: the role of Scotty in the upcoming Enterprise prequel “Star Trek” from director J.J. Abrams.

“I am a fan of the first ‘Star Trek,’ but I specifically stayed away from trying to do James Doohan (the original Scotty),” Pegg said. “We were all trying to be those characters and not the actors. So I concentrated on playing Montgomery Scott. ‘Star Trek’ is about the story.”

When asked about “Shaun of the Dead” and Pegg’s relationship to the original “zombie master” (George Romero), the question was asked: “Are you and Romero part of a secret government advisory committee in case of the uprising of the undead?”

“Yes. We are,” Pegg deadpanned. “I can’t say anything more. It’s all about getting people used to the idea so we all know what to do.”

“How to Lose Friends & Alienate People,” which opened on Oct. 3, 2008, features Simon Pegg, Megan Fox, Jeff Bridges, Kirsten Dunst, Gillian Anderson, Thandie Newton and Max Minghella.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Iron Man’ Sits Indisputably in Club of Highest-Rated Superhero Movies Ever

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:53:58 -0600

CHICAGO – Move over, Superman. This lush, high-octane playboy never tasted so good.

Robert Downey Jr. fittingly opens “Iron Man” with a cocktail in hand and all the arrogance in the world. As the story goes, his conceit is indeed respected as Earth is his oyster both for the playing and for the taking. With the American marketing machine in full effect for 2008’s first summer blockbuster, the inaugural one lives up to the buildup.

“Iron Man” has already not only etched itself the mark of the first indisputable blockbuster of 2008 and one of the best-reviewed films so far in 2008 but also one of the highest-rated superhero movies of all time – yes, of all time. The film deserves every million it makes.

Read Adam Fendelman’s full review of “Iron Man” in our reviews section.

View our massive, high-resolution “Iron Man” image gallery.

Even before he’s Iron Man, Downey Jr. is authentically transformative as the lush, cash-flushed, comedic, all-powerful and all-knowing Tony Stark.

Even those who aren’t fans of the comic series and just enjoy quality entertainment with fall prey to his allure as well as the blockbuster power of the film in general.

Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts – Stark’s assistant who keeps him functioning and even remembers his social security number for him – is indeed the subservient, selfless character she’s written to be. Hollywood gives her great hair, too. Paltrow took the role only after Rachel McAdams turned it down.

Iron Man is in the throes of a pitched battle with a determined nemesis in “Iron Man”.
Photo credit: Industrial Light & Magic

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in his battle-scarred Mark III armor in “Iron Man”.
Photo credit: Zade Rosenthal

Read Adam Fendelman’s full “Iron Man” review…

Paramount Pictures Releases Flood of New Production Stills For ‘Iron Man’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:40:08 -0600

CHICAGO – Paramount Pictures on Monday released a flood of new production stills for the highly anticipated film “Iron Man” with Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Samuel L. Jackson, Hilary Swank, Leslie Bibb and Stan Lee. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film opens on May 2, 2008.

While we have several of the new, high-quality production stills below, you can view our massive new photo gallery here in full. Click “Original” on each photo for high-quality versions. In our updated gallery, photos 19 through 40 are all new from Monday. We last published the release of new “Iron Man” production stills on Feb. 4, 2008.

View our massive, high-quality “Iron Man” photo gallery.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Following Super Bowl Spot, 13 New ‘Iron Man’ Production Stills Surface

HollywoodChicago.com — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:32:57 -0700

CHICAGO – Paramount Pictures on Sunday decided not only to rain by advertising “Iron Man” at the pricey 2008 Super Bowl but then also pour by releasing a flood of new, high-quality production stills. We reveal to you several of the new images below and have all of them (13 in total!) at our “Iron Man” image gallery.

View the rest of the new photos at our “Iron Man” image gallery!

Discuss this on our discussion boards here!

Directed by Jon Favreau, “Iron Man” features Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges. It is slated to open on May 2, 2008. The new “Iron Man” Super Bowl spot is below. It can also be found at Paramount’s “Iron Man” site and in HD at Apple.com.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Marvel Releases Two New Production Stills of ‘Iron Man’ With Downey Jr.

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:29:49 -0700

CHICAGO – Marvel on Monday released two new production stills from the highly anticipated adaption “Iron Man” with Robert Downey Jr. In the first photo, he displays a gauntlet for from the “Iron Man” armor and the second new photo shows Downey Jr. with director Jon Favreau as they talk about a scene on a workshop set.

Favreau has also directed “Elf”. “Iron Man,” which is scheduled to open on May 2, also features Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard and Stan Lee. In playing Tony Stark, Downey Jr. fashions a life-support suit to keep him alive after an accident. He decides to use the suit to fight crime.

The first photo above is similar to the production still below, which was released on Jan. 9.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

International ‘Iron Man’ Teaser Surfaces at YouTube

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:11:19 -0700

The new, international “Iron Man” teaser is now online at YouTube. The 59-second spot showcases a little more Gwenyth Paltrow. She at least gets one line.

Click here for the international “Iron Man” teaser.
The film, which is directed by Jon Favreau (“Elf,” “Zathura”) and stars Robert Downey Jr., Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, is set for release on May 2, 2008.

Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man”.
Photo credit: IMDb